Hotels in Winona

Between towering limestone bluffs and the mighty Mississippi, this river town surprises with world-class art hiding in plain sight. The Minnesota Marine Art Museum houses masterpieces by Van Gogh and Monet that seem transported from Manhattan to the Midwest. Climb Sugar Loaf for panoramic views that explain why steamboat captains once fell in love with these shores. Kayak the river's backwaters where bald eagles swoop overhead with casual majesty. Victorian mansions line downtown streets, their stained glass windows telling tales of lumber barons and river commerce. College students bring youthful energy to cafés where locals debate which bluff offers the best sunset view. In autumn, the surrounding hillsides explode with color so vivid it looks digitally enhanced.